Minnesota Governor Walz Faces Backlash Over $430,000 Taxpayer Bill for Legal Prep

Minnesota GOP Condemns Governor Walz for $430K Legal Expenses Utilizing State Funds

Minnesota Republicans are incensed upon discovering that Governor Tim Walz allocated approximately $430,000 in taxpayer money to engage external legal counsel in preparation for his congressional testimony regarding sanctuary-city policies.

Invoices acquired by the Star Tribune reveal that the Walz administration engaged the law firm K&L Gates from April through June. This firm assisted in preparing Walz for a June hearing of the House Oversight Committee, which was chaired by Republicans. The attorneys billed an average of $516 per hour, with $232,000 charged in May alone.

The total expenditure was sanctioned through a general fund transfer, which was approved by the Legislative Advisory Commission. Although the state attorney general’s office initially provided guidance, Walz’s team asserted that the congressional context necessitated more specialized legal assistance.

Republicans have denounced this action as excessive. Representative Jim Nash contended that the attorney general’s office could have managed the situation, while Representative Harry Niska labeled it as overpriced “PR consulting,” accusing Walz of focusing on a national political future instead of his state responsibilities.

In reply, Walz’s office characterized the GOP-led hearing as a partisan “political stunt,” claiming it resulted in unnecessary expenditures. Walz subsequently dismissed the proceedings as mere grandstanding that yielded no new insights.

Minnesota is not the only state engaging in such expenditures. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu reportedly authorized up to $650,000 for comparable legal assistance, and Denver’s mayor incurred costs of $250,000.

Currently, Minnesota lawmakers are deliberating whether future governors should depend exclusively on in-house legal counsel for congressional issues—and whether taxpayer funds should be utilized for what critics describe as political theatrics.